— but this is a really important issue for, I think, all community members, to be sure. I'm glad, for one, to have this study, albeit with delays and all.

First, with respect to the suggestions or recommendations that my colleague Ms. Rempel put forward, certainly we would support that, but I would go further than that. So, let me go down this road then.

First, on the question around multi-year funding, I think it is important to get multi-year funding and stability, but what I'm hearing as well from the witnesses is that we need to expand this program because the demand is so enormous. Mr. Powell, you had mentioned that you have 700 cases currently on your docket. Will multi-year funding at this current level be able to meet that demand, just on what you have on your list right now?

I think RRAP is one important tool. It's not for the work we do, which is emergency assistance for individuals. It's only one piece of the puzzle. If you're asking how we would go further, I think the list was a good list in relation to RRAP. I'll let my colleagues who have been advocating for it go further.

Specifically, though, for the nature of the emergency assistance for individuals, we are looking for an immediate process of temporary residence permits, or some sort of mechanism that will allow people who are at risk to be allowed entry into Canada. That's one way we would suggest moving forward.

Let me just tie in to this other question because what is going to be really important, I think, is for the government to bring forward a special measure to deal with the issue. To take the existing numbers out of our current immigration levels is not going to do the job because we're going to shortchange someone else on the way who is in a critical situation as well. Would you agree, then, that the government needs to bring forward a special measure, a targeted measure, to deal with the LGBTQ+ community?

I think if the LGBTQ2I community is labelled as a vulnerable population, as it is stated, then we need a robust policy in order to address that measure. I think it's outside our mandate to talk about who we are putting aside. I think the point here is that we need a robust strategy to effectively deal with this population.

The other issue that I just wanted to touch on is this. Because we have a situation where people who are internally displaced are having a really tough time in submitting an application, because by the nature of our current system they are excluded in terms of providing an application, would that special measure also include addressing the issue of internally displaced individuals?

My questions for both of the folks on video conferencing are, first, should we be expanding the programs from government to support the LGBTQ+ community in the refugee stream beyond multi-year funding for RRAP? Second, should we have government bring forward a special measure for the LGBTQ+ community outside the immigration numbers of today? Third, should we incorporate those who are internally displaced as part of the special measure? Right now internally displaced individuals don't really have a mechanism for submitting applications.

I would agree with everything that has been said. Certainly, we would welcome an increase in ongoing funding. I think a targeted measure would be appropriate, as would an ability to respond when we see instances of increases in violence like we're seeing right now in Chechnya.

I'm not sure. I think coming up with that number would require working with my colleagues from across the country. We ourselves are not that well connected, and I think this is an opportunity for us to think about how we can better support one another in doing refugee settlement and sponsorships across the country.

Thank you, Chair, and my thanks to all the witnesses for appearing before the committee today and for all the work you are doing with the community.

Mr. Powell, first and foremost I would like to state my support for this program, its objectives, and the accomplishments it has achieved so far. This program has been an effective way to ensure the safety of individuals from the LGBTQ+ communities who have been persecuted in foreign countries. We have been grateful for the co-operation and contributions of organizations across the country.

I understand the associations face many concerns when reaching out to these individuals. Would you please explain the challenges your organization faces when contacting refugees? What are some of the challenges the refugees face when they cross the borders?

If I understand you correctly, you're asking about the challenges faced in directly engaging with individuals we're seeking to help. It's twofold. We receive requests from individuals all over the world. I mentioned 700 a few times. Those are the ones who are known to us. If we're talking about a number of individuals we would like to use for a measure, that would be a good way to start. Those individuals are coming from different languages, different backgrounds, and we are communicating with them solely in English. As we scale up, we're looking at different ways of connecting with those individuals based on their language ability and special needs.

I would say those are the first barriers we see in connecting with those individuals and understanding the level of persecution they are facing in their home countries. Usually it's religion-focused. It's focused on state and cultural practices. Those are the issues we're navigating when we're directly dealing with those individuals.

The individuals we're facing are fleeing. They are persecuted. They have limited time to reach out to us. Maintaining a dialogue and making sure we have all the information we need to verify these cases is sometimes a challenge, as is helping them get ready to travel.

Our organization is not a settlement agency. We operate as a triage of sorts. We provide some resources and make sure they are going where they can find support, but we can't be there to greet them at the door in every case around the world. There are some issues I have in making sure everyone we bring to safety is also living a fruitful life after they find a safe haven.